What is Rural Telemedicine?
With telemedicine, patients can receive healthcare services virtually using a mobile device or computer. Telemedicine services can include speaking with healthcare providers about medical conditions, symptoms, and prescriptions through video calls and online messaging in a telemedicine app. In some cases, providers will use remote patient monitoring to check vital signs from home.
Rural patients who live far away from medical providers, specialists, and service providers have been at a disadvantage when it comes to proper medical care. Telehealth services being made available in rural areas will expand access to medical services, improving healthy equity by allowing patients to interact with providers from the comfort of home.
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Why Remote Communities Should Use Rural Telemedicine
Finding medical care in rural America is not a new challenge for residents. Hospitals in rural areas experience difficulties in recruiting employees and run the risk of closure, with 136 rural hospitals closing between 2010 and 2021. When these hospitals are closed, they’re unlikely to be replaced, leaving residents with less healthcare access than before.
Rural residents face other significant barriers, including distance from specialty care, a shortage of providers, and little to no public transportation systems. With the help of telemedicine programs, residents of rural America can access patient care services that were previously unavailable, including specialist care.
The Benefits of Telehealth in Rural Areas
Rural communities can benefit from telehealth services in many ways. Let’s take a look at just a few of these benefits:
Ending Costly Commutes
Rural residents typically have lengthy commutes for medical appointments since most medical providers are several hours away. This means the patient must arrange transportation, submit time off, or arrange child care if applicable. Public transportation is largely unavailable outside of urban communities, and many residents would greatly benefit from the option to receive healthcare services from home.
Overcoming Healthcare Employee Shortages
Rural hospitals and healthcare organizations have experienced issues with recruiting and retaining employees, which makes it difficult for patients to receive proper care in a timely manner. Factors that make recruitment difficult can include:
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Heavy workloads due to a high number of patients and low staffing numbers
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Limited job and school access for family members
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Challenges in maintaining professional boundaries and relationships with patients and employees
By offering telemedicine programs, rural patients can receive care virtually, lessening the load on medical providers in underserved communities.
Eliminating the Distance Between Patients and Providers
As previously mentioned, rural communities are disadvantaged since many lack the resources to serve varied health needs. Patients seeking specialist care may be required to travel several hours to receive treatment, including mental health services, dialysis, and nursing homes. By utilizing telehealth services, rural residents can access specialty care through video call appointments and online messaging.
Telemedicine in Pediatrics GuideThe Challenges of Telehealth in Rural Areas
While the benefits of telemedicine services in rural are plain to see, let’s take a look at some of the challenges:
Broadband Access
Many rural communities do not have access to high-speed internet, which can put them at a disadvantage when receiving patient care. Healthcare facilities typically require broadband internet access for telehealth services, but it is also needed at a patient’s home for services like remote monitoring, telehealth appointments, and monitoring mental health conditions. This access barrier can serve as a challenge for both rural residents and telehealth providers looking to serve broader populations.
Reimbursement Policies
A common challenge for telehealth programs is if Medicare and other insurance companies reimburse telehealth services. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services administered policy changes allowing more telemedicine services that included reimbursement. However, there is a chance these policy changes may go back after the public health emergency has ended. This can be a challenge as many rural residents cannot pay for telehealth services without their insurance company reimbursing them.
Licensure
According to the National Rural Health Association, the current physician licensure system makes expanding practices to rural areas challenging. When physicians choose to practice in different states, they must be licensed in each state they provide services. However, licensing boards provide licensure compacts that include multiple states, making it easier for healthcare providers to practice telehealth care in multiple states.
Other related articles:
Telemedicine in Pediatrics Guide
Telehealth Technology Examples
How Geneca Can Help
At Geneca, you can partner with a development company equipped with developers and analysts who have extensive understanding and experience with the healthcare industry. If you’re ready to support rural communities with telemedicine services, reach out to Geneca today!